Even in March, the university district’s commercial district is’Ghost City’… Merchants are getting more annoyed at the start of non-face-to-face

Input 2021.03.03 15:09 | Revision 2021.03.03 15:23

“I don’t even know that the class has started because the students aren’t coming.”

In front of Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 3rd, the second day after colleges opened. Before the coronavirus outbreak, the streets crowded with freshmen and students taking their first steps to college were so desolate that it was difficult to see anyone passing by on this day.

Jung Woo-seong, 44, who runs a takeout cafe here for four years, said he earned 17,000 won a day yesterday. Jeong said, “Before the corona crisis, the average daily sales were about 1.1 million won, but now single-digit sales are the basics. Only 100,000 won when it comes out well,” said Jeong.

Jeong said, “I think the students will be breathless when they come to school, but I expect the class to be held face-to-face until the second semester.” It is planned, but I have only signed a lease for one year to endure it until this year,” he said.

On the 2nd, most universities in downtown Seoul opened classes. However, due to concerns over the coronavirus infection, most universities have decided to maintain non-face-to-face classes for the time being. Only some practical subjects are taught face-to-face.

In principle, Yonsei University’s first semester classes are conducted entirely’non-face-to-face’, and outsiders are prevented from entering the campus. Chung-Ang University is also planning to run all classes non-face-to-face for the time being, and Hanyang University has decided to only offer remote classes in the first week of the class. Some universities, such as Kyunghee University, only conduct some classes face-to-face, such as experimentation, practice, and practical skills.

As the non-face-to-face class continued for the third semester, the troubles of the college merchants deepened. Kim Mo (48), who runs a cup rice restaurant in Seodaemun-gu university district, said, “Because college students are the main customers, sales during the vacation are inevitably reduced.” I complained.

The vacancy rate in the commercial district in college has also increased remarkably. As of this day, 30 of the 51 first-floor stores located about 300m away from the main gate of Ewha Womans University in the direction of Shinchon Train Station were closed. Nearly half of the 21 stores that were not closed were still open.

As the prices of food ingredients have risen sharply in recent years as a result of being overwhelmed, restaurant operators are experiencing’double high school’. Mr. Kim said, “Although the price of vegetables as well as eggs has risen due to the bird influenza (AI), students who are sensitive to 200-300 won will not be able to raise the price because they will stop visiting at all.” It seems difficult to get better,” he sighed.

Park Mo (66), who has been selling clothing for 40 years around Shinchon University Street, said, “The visitor was cut off to the point where I didn’t know whether it was a vacation or the beginning of the class.” Said. Lee Mo (28), who opened the snack bar in January, said, “I thought it would be a little different when the class started, but I barely filled four tables a day yesterday.”

Convenience stores, which are referred to as’real stores’ in residential areas, have not been able to use their strength in the commercial areas of university districts. Jeong Mo (63), who has been running a franchise convenience store for 13 years, said, “There is no sign of recovery from the sharp decline in sales since the corona crisis. I couldn’t stand it, so I opened the store at the end of last year. The store is opening the door,” he said.